APD hosted 'Coffee with a Cop'

Friday morning, APD officers provided an opportunity to get to know your neighborhood law enforcers as folks got their daily cup of Joe...

The Albany Police Department joined the nationwide 'Coffee with a Cop' event, offering a free cup of coffee and a talk with officers.

They were at the McDonald's on North Slappey Blvd to answer any questions you've always wanted to ask. The Drug unit, code enforcement, 311, and other agencies were all invited to join.

APD hopes the relaxing environment of this event will help make it easier for the community to interact with officers and build partnerships.

"Sometimes people do feel like it's an uncomfortable approach to make contact with a police officer," said Phyllis Banks, APD Public Relations Media Manager. "So, by bringing this event to McDonalds, it kind of takes away a number of barriers."

Sgt. Christopher Cognac in Hawthorne, California started Coffee with a cop after getting a grant for close to $400,000 to make it a national event.

"It's not about anything that's crazy that's going on and no one's lives are in an uproar. It's just, we're having a decent, warm cup of coffee, a hot sand which and we're enjoying each other's company," said Crime Prevention Unit Cpl. Brian Covington.

If you missed this morning's Coffee with a Cop, APD will also host two others on July 26th at the McDonald's on South Slappey and August 1st at the East Oglethorpe location.

Children play non-competitive baseball to grow teamwork skills (Source: WALB)

Some children with special needs hit the baseball diamond for their fourth season today! The Challenger League, a Leesburg-based non-profit, gives children with special needs the opportunity to play non-competitive sports with each other.

Some children with special needs hit the baseball diamond for their fourth season today! The Challenger League, a Leesburg-based non-profit, gives children with special needs the opportunity to play non-competitive sports with each other.